Races & Rides

USA Cycling awards 2014–16 Cyclo-cross National Championships

Following an unprecedented bevy of strong bids, USA Cycling has selected Boulder, Colo., Austin, Texas and Asheville, N.C. to host its 2014, 2015 and 2016 Cyclo-cross National Championships respectively.

The cyclo-cross national championships are expected to bring upwards of 1,200 competitors and 10,000 spectators to these communities.

“We had three outstanding bids making the only logical choice to award all three communities,” said USA Cycling Managing Director of National Events Micah Rice. “The decision to award one-year contracts for the championships will also help foster cyclo-cross racing in three distinctively different parts of the country.”

USA Cycling evaluated potential host cities using various criteria, including: accessibility, community support, course options, technical expertise and the organization’s commitment to volunteer recruitment, marketing and lodging. Each community will be required to host an international-caliber test event ahead of the national championships.

With a handful of top-caliber cyclo-cross events already in place at Boulder’s Valmont Bike Park, the northern Colorado cycling-hotbed was the obvious choice to host in 2014. The tried and true, permanent cyclo-cross course and facilities will offer the ideal structure to host the nation’s best.

“We are very excited that Valmont Bike Park will host the 2014 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross Nationals,” said Michael Eubank, the City of Boulder’s Valmont Bike Park director. “This is like the Super Bowl of cycling and tremendous news for Boulder—but especially for all of the local cyclists and bike organizations who were involved in creating this one-of-a-kind bike park. Valmont Bike Park was specifically designed and built to accommodate daily recreation users as well as USA Cycling racing events and we can't wait to bring this event to Colorado."

Austin’s Zilker Park will then host the 2015 version of the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships. The beautiful urban park will offer an exciting venue near the heart of downtown Austin, a thriving city with a strong cycling community recently rated one of the Top 20 Most Bike-Friendly Cities in America by Bicycling Magazine.

Just like Madison in 2011 & 2012, all three venues will offer unique experiences.

Austin is pumped, declared Matthew Payne, executive director of the Austin Sports Commission. “This event will be another chance to showcase our dynamic city to cyclo-cross athletes all over the country. Austin is long overdue for an event of this caliber and we’re excited about working closely with USA Cycling officials and sharing this with our strong cycling community.

Asheville, N.C. and the historic Biltmore Estate will be on tap to bring the cyclo-cross national championships to the southeast for the first time in 2016. The national championship course will be set amongst the 8,000 acres of America’s largest home, nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina.

“Asheville is pleased to be chosen as the host for the 2016 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships,” said Ben VanCamp, Asheville-Buncombe Regional Sports Commission senior advisor. “We are looking forward to showcasing our strong and supportive cycling community.”

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USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States. The 501c3, membership-based organization aims both to achieve sustained success in international cycling competition and to grow competitive cycling in America while delivering an exceptional customer experience.
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